The Web Design Library

Our Web Design Library contains reviews of some of the better books in the pointafter.com resource library. We have found these books to be very useful resources and recommend them highly.

By clicking on the book title, you'll get a complete synopsis of the book from Barnes & Noble and possibly some additional reviews submitted by individual readers. 

We find that with so many "web design" books on the market, it's sometimes difficult to find one that addresses your specific needs.  We hope that our reviews and recommendations provide you with enough information to allow you to make a decision about whether to purchase a book or not.

If you do decide to purchase, you'll be glad to know that Barnes & Noble often offers discounts for online purchases.  Just click on the book title to check out their prices.  We regularly add new books to our Library, so bookmark this page and visit us often.

You'll also be glad to know that 50% of our commission for every book sold will be donated to the Make A Wish Foundation.  So in addition to getting a great deal on a fantastic reference book, you'll be helping out a very, very worthwhile cause.

Our Rating	Book Info and Overview
	Title:  " Designing With JavaScript - 2nd Edition " Author:  Nick Heinle and Bill Pena Pub Date:  January, 2002 Overview:  This book is for web authors and designers who want to learn how to use JavaScript to enhance their web pages.  It provides useful, sought-after examples of JavaScript in action, while teaching the concepts and syntax of the language.  Because it contains practical, real-world applications, this book is an excellent resource for anyone new to JavaScript with some basic HTML knowledge.  I am by all means a JavaScript rookie, and I found this book to be an excellent resource and was able to easily integrate many of its concepts into my website.  I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to explore JavaScript as a design tool.
	Title:  " Homepage Usability: 50 Websites Deconstructed " Author:  Jacob Nielsen Pub Date:  November, 2001 Overview:  Written by Jakob Nielsen (the father of web usability), this book is dedicated to improving homepage usability and effectiveness.  Nielsen begins by offering 113 guidelines for ensuring homepage usability and continues by examining the effectiveness of 50 top homepages. Each site is a separate chapter that includes an image of the homepage and an in depth analysis of its strengths and weaknesses. If you're going to own only one book on web design, make this the one.  It's worth every penny.
	Title:  " Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity " Author:  Jacob Nielsen Pub Date:  December, 1999 Overview:  Written in a very easy to understand format with lots of examples, this is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in improving the usability aspects of their website. Jacob Nielsen presents a very thorough analysis of page, content and site design.  Also included are overviews of some of the overlooked aspects of web design, such as designing for users with disabilities and the Global audience.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is interested in improving their website's usability and user friendliness.
	Title:  " JavaScript for the World Wide Web " Author:  Tom Negrino & Dori Smith Pub Date:  June, 1999 Overview:  This is a fantastic resource for the JavaScript novice.  It's loaded with usable examples which are all written for cross-browser installation.  The only requirement is that you are relatively familiar with HTML.  I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who would like to get initiated into the world of coding customized JavaScripts for their website.
	Title:  " Information Architecture for the World Wide Web " Author:  Louis Rosenfeld & Peter Morville Pub Date:  February, 1998 Overview:  The ultimate bible of website usability.  Written in very non-technical, easy to understand language, this book is targeted at anyone who is responsible for maintaining either an intranet or internet site, and is challenged with organizing large amounts of data.  Instead of focusing on the individual web pages that make up a website, Rosenfeld and Morville take a "big picture" perspective, looking at the website as a whole.
	Title:  " Perl for Dummies (with CDROM) " Author:  Paul Hoffman Pub Date:  November, 1998 Overview:  If you like to download Perl scripts off the internet and then customize them, but don't have a really strong knowledge of Perl, this book is for you.  I have found this to be an outstanding reference book for making ad hoc changes to numerous scripts.  It's written in plain English and is very easy to understand.
	Title:  " Don't Make Me Think, A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability " Author:  Steve Krug Pub Date:  October, 2000 Overview:  This is simply an outstanding introduction to Website usability.  Steve Krug addresses design concepts that affect your site's presentation of content, layout, navigation and homepage effectiveness.  Each aspect is discussed from a usability perspective, i.e., what attributes make your site more user friendly and understandable.  I feel that the usability aspect of web design is in itself, the single most important aspect of designing an effective website, and unfortunately, it is the most overlooked aspect by many a web designer.
	Title:  " HTML Web Magic " Author:  Raymond Pirouz Pub Date:  July, 1998 Overview:  A very useful reference for maximizing the utilization of your HTML.  "HTML Web Magic" contains lots of useful tips, tricks and techniques, each one presented in a very easy to understand step by step format that truly simplifies the implementation process.  Even though this book will most benefit the newcomer to web design, it definitely contains techniques that will enlighten even the most senior web designers.  If you think you need to resort to flash presentations to give your site some pizzazz, you might want to check "HTML Web Magic" first.
	Title:  " Community Building on the Web " Author:  Amy Jo Kim Pub Date:  July, 2000 Overview:  Amy Jo does a fantastic job presenting a nine step strategy for developing, maintaining and supporting a web community.  As she walks you through each of the nine strategies, she points out the pitfalls to avoid, and makes sure that you are appropriately prepared to face each challenge.  "Community Building on the Web" is written in a very easy to understand format with lots of real world examples.  This book is a definite must for anyone that is contemplating a chat room or message board for their site.
	Title:  " Designing Web Graphics 3: How to Prepare Images and Media for the Web " Author:  Linda Weinman Pub Date:  March, 1999 Overview:  An excellent reference for both, the beginning and experienced web designer.  First, Linda effectively addresses the full range of issues associated with graphic image design such as color selection, image size and color aesthetics (and many more).  However, she doesn't stop there.  In addition to graphic design, she also addresses related functionality such as frames, JavaScript, DHTML, Tables, and their relationships to graphic design.  A truly valuable addition to any Web Design Library.
	Title:  " Using HTML 4 - 6th Edition " Author:  Molly E. Holzschlag Pub Date:  August, 1999 Overview:  Even if you use an HTML Editor like FrontPage, you will have the periodic need to work directly with HTML.  Molly Holzschlag has done an outstanding job creating the only HTML reference you will ever need.  It is written in a clear, concise manner that makes it easy to use and understand, even by a complete neophyte.  You will have a difficult time finding a better reference.
	Title:  " Web Style Guide " Author:  Patrick J. Lynch and Sarah Horton Pub Date:  March 1999 Overview:  I refer to this book frequently because in my opinion, Lynch and Horton did a fantastic job focusing on the aesthetic aspects of web design, as opposed to the technical (html) aspects. 'Web Style Guide' takes you on a step by step journey through the web design process, starting with 'concepts and ideas' and ending with 'finished products'. During the journey, heavy emphasis is placed on defining the attributes one would find in a well designed website. Narratives are always accompanied by useful examples that demonstrate the concepts they are presenting.
	Title:  " Increase Your Web Traffic in a Weekend 3rd Edition with Cdrom " Author:  William R. Stanek Pub Date:  January 2000 Overview:  I feel this book is a very good introduction to Web site promotion. Stanek takes a high level look at how search engines work and, how to optimize your site and improve your search engine rankings. Lots of good info on the use of Meta tags, text, hyperlinks, titles, doorway pages and descriptions, and how they impact search engine positioning.  He also looks at guides, directories, awards and other promotional techniques. Easy to read and understand.  Literally can be completely absorbed in a weekend.  Note: because this book is a "high level" look at several promotional techniques, he doesn't get into the specific differences between search engines, i.e., he doesn't tell you how to optimize your site for Infoseek Vs Altavista. Otherwise, a very good reference.
	Title:  " Web Pages that Suck: Learn Good Design by Looking at Bad Design " Author:  Vincent Flanders, Michael Willis  Pub Date:  March 1998 Overview:  One of the best books on Web Design I have ever read.  Flanders and Willis have created a reference that is extremely easy to read because of its entertaining style and "reverse" approach to Web Design.  Learn good design by reviewing bad design.   Visit their website by the same name to get a flavor of their style.
	Title:   FrontPage 2000: The Complete Reference Author:  Martin S. Matthews, Erik B. Poulsen  Pub Date:  February 1999 Overview:  I have found this to be one of the best FrontPage 2000 Reference books on the market today.  Very easy to follow and understand.  Lots of good practical examples with step by step instructions.  I have several FrontPage 2000 reference books, but I consistently find myself using just this one.